StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson: Season Four of Nat Geo Series Debuts in October

by Regina Avalos, September 20, 2017

Get ready for a new season of StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson. New episodes of the talk show will arrive next month. This month, viewers will see a variety of guests including Katy Perry, Stephen Colbert, and Lance Armstrong.

“StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson is back with more star power than ever! The three-time Emmy-nominated talk show returns on Sunday, Oct. 1, at 11/10c with 20 all-new episodes featuring mind-blowing conversations, scientific commentary and cosmic queries – all with a comedic punch.

StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson, the first-ever science-based talk show on television, is derived from Tyson’s popular radio show and podcast of the same name. Each episode features an intimate interview between Tyson and a guest from pop culture, politics, sports or news, in which they discuss how science and technology have affected their lives and careers. In addition to the centerpiece interview, StarTalk episodes boast a panel of comedians and experts who analyze the conversation in front of a studio audience at the American Museum of Natural History’s Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York City – where Tyson serves as the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium.

Premiere Episodes Include:

Lance Armstrong Premieres Sunday, Oct. 1, at 11/10c Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with controversial world-champion cyclist Lance Armstrong. Tyson is joined in the Cullman Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Scott Adsit, along with science journalist Max Glaskin and bioethics professor Arthur Caplan to discuss the science of cycling, sports ethics and performance enhancement. Adding to the discussion, Chuck Nice joins from the Sports Science Lab to test cycling training techniques.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Premieres Sunday, Oct. 8, at 11/10c Host Neil deGrasse Tyson sits down with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Later, in the Cullman Hall of the Universe, Tyson is joined by comedian co-host Chuck Nice and astrophysicist Charles Liu to discuss the science and history of basketball as well as Abdul-Jabbar’s legacy. NBA analyst and former 76er Jim Spanarkel joins the conversation in the studio.

Jane Goodall Premieres Sunday, Oct. 15, at 11/10c Legendary chimpanzee researcher Jane Goodall joins host Neil deGrasse Tyson for a featured interview. Tyson is joined in the Cullman Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Chuck Nice and biological anthropologist Jill Pruetz to discuss chimp behavior, animal and environmental ethics and the evolutionary differences between chimpanzees and humans. Primatologist and anthropologist Natalia Reagan joins the conversation from a chimpanzee sanctuary in Georgia.

Katie Couric Premieres Sunday, Oct. 22, at 11/10c Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with renowned news anchor Katie Couric. Tyson is joined in the Cullman Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Eugene Mirman and journalism professor Jeff Jarvis to discuss the intersection of science and journalism. Adding to the discussion, Chuck Nice chimes in with the crowds at the March for Science.

Kevin Smith Premieres Sunday, Oct. 29, at 11/10c Filmmaker, comic book fanatic and all around geek ambassador, Kevin Smith sits down with host Neil deGrasse Tyson. Later, in the Cullman Hall of the Universe, Tyson is joined by comedian co-host Chuck Nice and astrophysicist Charles Liu as they discuss science fiction, comic books and the science of superheroes. StarTalk science correspondent and anthropologist Natalia Reagan sends a dispatch from San Diego Comic-Con, where hundreds of thousands of fans converge to share their passion for comics, science fiction, movies, TV and cosplay.

SciFi Meets National Defense Premieres Sunday, Nov. 5, at 11/10c Host Neil deGrasse Tyson sits down with Arati Prabhakar, former head of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Tyson is joined in the Cullman Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Chuck Nice and national security journalist Sharon Weinberger to discuss the intersection of science fiction, technology and national defense. Adding to the discussion, rocket scientist Natalie Panek joins via video call and Hod Lipson demonstrates his self-aware robot.

James Cameron Sunday, Nov. 26, at 11/10c As the 20th anniversary of James Cameron’s film “Titanic” approaches, host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with the legendary filmmaker and National Geographic explorer-in-residence. Cameron discusses everything from the inspiration behind his record-breaking film “Avatar” to his solo dive down to the deepest point of the Mariana Trench. Joining Tyson in the Cullman Hall of the Universe are comedian co-host Chuck Nice and astrophysicist Charles Liu to discuss the intersection of storytelling, exploration and science.

StarTalk is produced by Curved Light Productions and National Geographic Studios for National Geographic. For Curved Light Productions, executive producers are Neil deGrasse Tyson and Helen Matsos. For National Geographic Studios, executive producers are Brian Lovett and Drew Pulley, and executive vice president of production and development is Jeff Hasler. For National Geographic, executive producer is Betsy Forhan, vice president of production is Kevin Tao Mohs and president of original programming and production is Tim Pastore.”